Event Archives – 2015

Every Christmas I run a free event at the studio to say thank you everyone who has supported the studio over the past year.  It is a time to meet with other photographers share images that we have taken during the year and enjoy a mince pie and a drink

The event is only open to people who have been to an Ian’s Studio event, workshop or course in 2015 or if you have hired the studio in 2015.  Bring along a selection of images you have created this year (please include something you have taken as a result of attending one of the studio events, workshops or courses).

You can bring images as prints or as digital files which we will display via a laptop and video projector.  You can also email/dropbox images to me ahead of the event to save time loading them on to the laptop.  I recommend a maximum of 5 images person (we may only get to critique 3 or 4 depending on the number of people attending).

Price: Free (but you must have been to a paid event at the studio in 2015)

For tonight’s Friday Night at the Studio event the theme will be pin-up.  Working with an established pin-up model we will create some classic pin-up images.

Also available at the studio tonight will be some Christmas themed props to add a festive twist to your images should you wish.

I am pleased to announce that our model for this event will be the wonderful Gabriella Lissoni.  You can see her profile on Purpleport here:  http://purpleport.com/portfolio/madalinapetrusel/?referrer=ianbutty you can also see images from her previous visit to the studio here: http://photos.imb.biz/model/name/gabriella (Please note a couple of images are NSFW)

Gabi was last at the studio for our popular Silhouettes Night in April this year. Gabi informs me that she has an: “Infinate amounts of pin up stuff” (!)

Price: £27

This one day training event will teach how to create wet-look glamour images and to add rain effects and lightning effects in Photoshop.

During the morning we will spend 3hours in the studio working with a models to create the wet-look glamour images which will be the basis of our completed shots.

During this time you will learn how to set up the lights needed to create the effects.  You will learn some of the tricks employed to create wet-look images, including how to make the water droplets more visible, and how to control where the water goes.  The session is a practical session and you will have plenty of opportunity to take photographs.

Please note: due to the nature of some of the images and techniques being demonstrated at this event the model(s) will be posing topless for some of the shots.  If this is likely to cause offence please do not book to come on this course.

After lunch (which is included in the price of the course) we go into a tutorial session where you will be shown how to use Photoshop to add digital rain and digital lightning effects to the images we created during the morning session.   If you have a laptop with Photoshop on it you are welcome to bring it with you and follow the tutorials as we go through them.  Alternatively you can sit back, watch and then try out the techniques at your leisure at home.  Either way you will be provided with printed notes on how to achieve the effects and a CD with a video screencast showing you the steps for both digital rain and digital lightning.

I am pleased to announce that the model for this event with be Naomi S.  Naomi last worked at the studio for our Studio Taster Day in October.  You can find Naomi’s profile on Purpleport here:
http://purpleport.com/portfolio/notyourlotusflower/?referrer=ianbutty​
You can find my images of Naomi from the studio taster day here:
http://photos.imb.biz/model/name/naomis

Cost £69 (includes lunch, printed notes,  and a disk with video tutorial)

We often think of glamour as being about beautifully posed images and precisely posed images. It is true that glamour photography is all about making our subject appear sexually attractive. But when most people find things like sense of humour, and laughter just as attractive, if not more so than looks.

In tonight’s session we will be concentrating on how to capture personality, laughter, humour, and fun in our glamour images.

I am really pleased to announce that the model for this event will be Paris Honour.  You can find her profile on Purpleport here:  http://purpleport.com/portfolio/missspencer/?referrer=ianbutty

Expect a fun filled evening, in addition to your camera you should come equipped with a fully functioning sense of humour.  You create image of this style you need to relax and not take yourself too seriously!

Price: £29

Tonight we will be looking at art nude photography.  No props, no clothing, the event is all about the pose and shape of the model, enhanced by creative lighting.  To help focus attention on the lighting and shapes photographers at this event will be encouraged to set their cameras to shoot in monochrome

The model for this event will be Zoe Page – you can see Zoe’s profile on Purpleport : http://purpleport.com/portfolio/zoepage/?referrer=ianbutty

Price: £29

Have you ever wanted to learn more about studio photography but were a bit scared to have a go?  Ever felt over-whelmed by the range of events and workshops that are on offer at the studio?  Following on from the sucess of the taster day in 2014 we will be running it again in 2015.  This day is designed to give you a taster of the different types of workshops and training that we offer.

There will be two different 3hrs sessions.  Each session will highlight different aspects of studio photography work. What we cover in each session will be short extracts of the training given in different workshops that we offer at the studio.  

In the morning session we will look at:

• Portraiture
• Fashion and commercial
• Pin-up

In the afternoon session we will look at:

• Lingerie / Boudoir
• Glamour
• Art Nude

Printed notes and lighting diagrams will be provided for all the topics and set-ups that we cover during the taster day.

Our model for this event will be Naomi Sumner (See: http://purpleport.com/portfolio/notyourlotusflower/?referrer=ianbutty).  During the morning session she will be working to clothed/fashion levels.  In the afternoon session our model will be working up to Art Nude levels.

Morning session only:  £36
Afternoon session only: £42
Both sessions: £75

A buffet lunch will be provided for anyone booking to attend both sessions.

If you have never shot in a studio before and don’t know what to expect, there is nothing to worry about.  All you need to bring is your camera and yourself.  Most people shoot with DSLRs but so long as as your camera has a hot-shoe and the ability to work in manual mode you will be fine.  Durring the two sessions I take the time to explain all the settings you will need on your camera and also how we set-up and meter the lights.  This will also be covered in the printed not supplied at the workshop.

Liam Golden had been booked by a photographer I was doing a one-to-one training session with.  I was impressed with Liam as a model and his ability to create images which have an impact to them.  Especially when lit with rim lighting or lighting across the body.  I decided to book him for a Friday Night at the Studio event so that you too could have the opportunity to work with him.

You can find Liam’s profile on purpleport here: http://purpleport.com/portfolio/liamgolden/?referrer=ianbutty

Price: £27

This event has been rescheduled for August 28th

Join us for an evening working with model Jess (aka Softgentle) which explore the use of bright and bold colours.  Jess will be working at a mix of levels up to nude.

The outfits that Jess will be bringing will include a pini-up swimsuit and a pink fetish outfit.  We will also be shooting some art nude images using of gelled lights to add colour to the image.

You can see Jess’s profile on Purpleport here:  http://purpleport.com/portfolio/softgentle/?referrer=ianbutty and images from a messy night at the studio here: http://photos.imb.biz/model/name/softgentle

I know this is a last minute event but I hope you will be able to join us.

Price: £29

This is a full day workshop…. EXCEPT… it takes place over an afternoon and an evening.  Throughout this workshop you will learn how and when to use your flash on camera and how to get your flash off camera.

Course Overview:
———————
On Camera Flash
– TTL metering
– Flash exposure compensation
– Techniques for using diffusers
– Flash bouncing – including using reflector and simple ‘fun’ card reflectors
– High Speed Sync
– Second Curtain Sync
– Using a TTL cable

Off-Camera Flash
– Triggering the flash
– Flash modifiers
– Other strobist gear
– Using your flash in manual mode
– Lighting set-ups for one, and two flash shooting
– Over powering the sun techniques

Printed notes will be supplied  The training is NOT classroom style. It is practical training centred round shooting a model.  Some of the course will involve shooting outside.

Details of the model or this event will be published shortly.

A sandwich/buffet tea will be provided.

Price: £69

A deposit of £25 is required to secure your place on this workshop.

Join us for another of our popular table top nights.  Tonight we will be using the studio audio and laser trigger system to create images such as splashes and bursting of balloons.

We will also look at creating images where an object passes through a laser beam to trigger a the flash.

If time permits and there is interest we may also have the opportunity to create water droplet collision images.

You need to bring a tripod and macro lenses if you have them.  I have spare tripods at the studio and a canon fit macro lens which can be borrowed at the event.

Price: £18

The maximum number of photographers for this event will be six (two teams of three)

Two studios, two models, two styles, two photography tutors – one fantastic day and one great price!  Ian’s Studio and RJBradbury Photography are pleased to announce – Double Take.

We have two fantastic models for the day Vivian Blue and Rhianna Grey.

You can see their porfolios here:
http://purpleport.com/portfolio/rhiannagrey/?referrer=ianbutty and
http://purpleport.com/portfolio/sellers?referrer=ianbutty
Please Note: both links are NSFW

In Ian’s studio, there will be opportunities to shoot art nude and lingerie styles, while over in Rick’s studio there will be opportunities to shoot fashion and beauty styles.  Both models will move between the two studios and will be shooting all styles.  At the end of the day there will be opportunities to shoot both models together in in both studios.

Ian and Rick will be on hand to offer guidance and advice on shooting and studio lighting.

If anyone doesn’t want to shoot nude or lingerie styles, you are welcome to come to just shoot fashion and beauty in Rick’s studio.  You will still get to work with both models.  If this does apply to you please let us know so that we can ensure that Rick’s studio remains a nudity free area.

For anyone who is not aware Ian’s Studio and RJBradbury Photography are in the same building and the entrances to the studio are directly opposite each other off the same entrance hall.  So going between the two studio couldn’t be easier.

Tea and coffee will be available in both studio, but you will need to bring your own pack lunch.

Because we have two studio’s operating, the minimum and maximum number are doubled.  The minimum number for the event will therefore be six photographers and the maximum will be fourteen.

Price: £69

Another of our full-day messy days at the studio.  At this event you have the chance to create photographs or video with a messy theme to them.

Typically at these days there will chances to shoot at least four different messy set-ups and scenarios.  At past events these have included art nude with multicoloured slime, messy diner, messy decorator, game show with forfeits.

The set-ups will be tailored to suit the type of “Wet and Messy” styles the attendees wish to wish to shoot.  It is expected that a significant number of the set-ups will appeal to photographers who enjoy shooting “splosh” / WAM fetish images and/or video.

Our model for this event will be Raven Lee (See http://purpleport.com/portfolio/ravenlee/?referrer=ianbutty NSFW)

Raven will be getting messy both fully clothed and fully nude.

Please note that we are working with messy substances at this shoot and it is advisable that photographers wear old clothes, just in case!

Price: £99

The maximum number of photographers will be limited to just five.

PLEASE NOTE:  This event has been cancelled due to Sophie no longer being available on this date.  Sophie has asked me to pass on her apologies.

Top glamour model Sophie May joins us at the studio for tonight’s event.  Working up to nude levels we will be creating glamour images in a number of different styles.

When Sophie came to the studio earlier this month, it was a total sell out.  We were was turning people away from the door.  So to cope with the demand, Sophie is coming back to the studio again.  This time on Thursday 30th July.

Sophie’s profile can be found on purpleport here:
http://purpleport.com/portfolio/littlehotlips/?referrer=ianbutty  (NSFW)

If you came last time and enjoyed the shoot why not come again?  It will be different outfits, different lighting but the same fantastic Sophie.

Price £35

It happens to all of us.  We are in the middle of a shoot and suddenly we hit “photographers block” – what do we shoot next?  In this session we will look at a technique for working through this.

The technique is relatively straight forward we use props and working with the model we photographically brainstorm ideas.  Then we review the images and pick one or two ideas to develop further.I have quickly shown this technique to photographers at various works shops and the feedback from them is that they have all found it very helpful.

At this session we will look at the concept more fully.  Not only will this help you push through photographers block, but you will go away from the evening with images that are unique to you and that no-one else in the group has shot.

Our model for the evening will be Mercedy (http://purpleport.com/portfolio/missmercedyp/?referrer=ianbutty).  Mercedy is not only a model but also an actress, dancer and photographer.  This makes her an ideal model for this event.

Price: £25

In our recent survey I asked photographers to rate the different types of events that they were interested in – the top two photography events were “strobist techniques” and “art nude” – this event is in two parts the first is in the studio and concentrates on art nude photography.  After a break we head off into the local park to work on fashion and portraiture photography using strobist techniques.

Our model for this event will be the amazing Illy aka Black Beauty.  This will be her third event at the studio.  You can find her profile on Purpleport here:  http://purpleport.com/portfolio/blackbeauty/?referrer=ianbutty

3pm till 6pm will be in the studio shooting art nude
Break
7pm till 10pm will be in the park shooting fashion using strobist techniques

Price: £65

Top glamour model Sophie May joins us at the studio for tonight’s event.  Working up to nude levels we will be creating glamour images in a number of different styles.

Sophie’s profile can be found on purpleport here:
http://purpleport.com/portfolio/littlehotlips/?referrer=ianbutty  (NSFW)

Price £35

I should have been doing some commercial work on Friday but it has been postponed.  So this event is a very last minute addition to the calendar.

Come and shoot with model Katy Mac.  Fashion, beauty, portraiture, strobist techniques and a little bit of lingerie.Katy is a new model but you can see her portfolio here: http://purpleport.com/portfolio/katymac/?referrer=ianbutty

We will be largely studio based, but if the weather is nice on Friday night we will wander down to the park to do a few strobist fashion shots, before finishing with a little bit of lingerie work in the studio at the end of the night.

Why should you book for this event?

• As it is a last minute event the number of photographers are likely to be low, so you should get plenty of shooting time.
• Because Katy is a new model it is a chance for you to hone your directing skills.  I will also be offering advice on how to direct models
• A chance to work with a new model – someone different for your portfolio that doesn’t (yet) appear on every other photographer’s portfolio
• The price for the event is fantastic…
• …and I am sure Katy is too!

Price £25

Please note the minimum of THREE photographers for this event to take place has been reached. The maximum number will be seven..

PLEASE NOTE: The date of this event has been changed to Monday 29th June.

Come to to the studio to learn the basics of studio portraiture.  No previous studio experience is necessary at this three hour session you will learn a number of techniques for creating studio portraits.  You will learn several different lighting set-ups and we will use a simple step by step technique for ensuring that the studio lights give the effect you are looking for in your portraiture lighting.The event is idea for anyone who is new to shooting in a studio as we assume no prior knowledge of studio work.  If you have been to group shoots before and had someone else set-up the lighting for you but never really understood how or why the lights were places where they were, this is your chance to learn the why and how.

Lighting diagrams will be provided for all the set-ups we work on throughout the evening so you will be able to recreate the lighting in the future.

I am really pleased to announce that the model for this event will be Layla G – Layla is a fantastic “red head” model with a great portfolio and four years experience.  She is magazine published and has modeled for clients such as IBM and Porsche.  You can see her profile on purpleport here: http://purpleport.com/portfolio/laylag/?referrer=ianbutty

Price £35

Maximum of 7 spaces available

For tonight’s Friday Night at the Studio event we will be looking at techniques for creating so called ‘levitation’ style images.  These are images where a person appears to be floating in mid air.

If the weather permits we will go outside this evening and create images in the studio grounds and in the local parks.  If the weather is not suitable we will work inside the studio.

You WILL need a tripod for this event. I have a couple of spare tripods at the studio – please let me know if you need to borrow one.

The model for this event will be studio favourite Rachael F.  You can see her profile on Purpleport here: http://purpleport.com/portfolio/rachaelf/?referrer=ianbutty images from some of her many visits to the studio can also be found here:  http://photos.imb.biz/model/rachael

Price: £25

At tonight’s event we will look at a number of classic table-top set-ups.  These include how to photograph smoke patterns, capturing water splashes, techniques for photographing food and also at least on special effects set-up.

Other than a tripod (and you can borrow on of the spare studio tripods if you need to) you don’t need any special equipment to create these images, and you should be able to recreate the techniques you learn this evening in your own home.

Price £15

For tonight’s event we will be working with an experienced glamour model using the studio’s “red room” set-up.  The set, and the props will be red, the outfits will be red or nothing!

The red room set-up has proved highly popular in the past and it offers a surprising amount of flexibility in set-up and lighting.  You can see examples of types of images created with the red room here:

http://photos.imb.biz/model/shoot/redroom (NSFW – as you might expect the gallery contains nudity).

I am pleased to announce that the model for this event will be Lina Luxe.  This will be Lina’s first visit to Ian’s Studio, but she has three years experience doing glamour modelling.  You can see Lina purpleport profile here: http://purpleport.com/portfolio/AngelLuxe/?referrer=ianbutty (NSFW)

Price: £29

Maximum spaces for this event will be 7.

Not sure whether it is worth upgrade to the new version of Lightroom?  And if you are going to upgrade do you want to go with the CC version or the boxed LR6?

If you want to get to understand what has changed in the new version of Lightroom and want to make informed choices about upgrading coming along to this half day workshop where I will go through the details of what it probably the biggest change to Lightroom since it was first released.

The workshop is aimed at those who have an existing working knowledge of the product.  You don’t need to be an expert.  We will concentrate on the areas which have changed but almost certainly we will look at some of the features that have been there in previous versions.

Price: £35  (Maximum places: 10)
Printed Notes will be provided.

This will be another of our very popular table-top nights.  Using high-speed photography techniques that will work with any camera that can do exposures of 1sec or longer.  We will look at a number of high-speed photography themes including ways to capture splashes and to photograph exploding balloons.

You will need a tripod for this event.  If you have one please bring it along.  If you don’t I have a few spare tripods at the studio that you can borrow for the evening.

Price £20

Model Strawberry Venom is returning to the studio for a night of tattoos and art nude.

It has been a while since Strawberry Venom has been modelling at Ian’s Studio.  During that time she has acquired even more tattoos. The emphasis tonight will be on creating art nude images which show off those tattoos.

Even if you are not normally a fan of working with heavily inked models you will not be disappointed when shooting Strawberry Venom as she has a unique ability to create poses that no other model can come close to.

You can find her profile on purpleport:  http://purpleport.com/portfolio/strawberryvenom/?referrer=ianbutty

Price £29

Are you up to the challenge?  You have exactly two hours 120mins.  All you have to do is take 20 photographs.  But here’s the catch:  There must me no duplicate images.  No retakes.  No deletions.  The twenty images must be consecutive frames.  At the end of the challenge you must show all twenty images.

The challenge isn’t easy.  You have an average of 6 minutes per shot, including getting between the locations you are going to shoot.  The challenge makes you think about each and every frame you take.  Check your settings and your composition before hitting the shutter release.

I am organising this free event in Manchester.  Meet at the fountains in Albert Square (in front of the Town Hall).

Even though there is no charge for his event I would appreciate it if you can book via my website just so that I know how many people are going to be coming.

I’m going to try to arrange somewhere for us to go and have a drink and a chat afterwards… and so we can look at what we have each photographed.

Price: Free

Rosie Eliot says….

Come along to Ian’s Studio, Stockport for a fun afternoon of shooting, all in aid of a great cause!

As a Miss Manchester Finalist, I am challenged to raise money for humanitarian charity ‘Beauty with a Purpose.’ Myself and Rick Bradbury are hosting a 4 hour shoot at Ian’s Studio in Stockport.
Details:
It costs just £35 to attend.
The event is taking place on the 3^rd of May, 4-8pm
To book your place please email me at rosie@ians-studio.co.uk 

As the Miss Manchester final is just 5 days after the shoot, I will be wearing my full final attire.
I will be shooting fashion levels including; LA inspired daywear (with an eco-friendly/vintage theme), Sportswear, and a glamourous evening look. I will be making changes to my makeup and hair between each outfit change. This is a great opportunity to shoot with me in outfits and styles I don’t usually work in and a fantastic portfolio builder for everyone involved.

More info about ‘Beauty with a Purpose’:

Beauty with a Purpose was created by Julia Morley in 1972. It is at the heart of Miss World.
Hundreds of millions of pounds have been raised and donated to local and international organisations in aid of disadvantaged children the world over.

Variety, The Children’s Charity, for example, has been closely associated with Beauty with a Purpose for many years.
Other causes to have benefited from Beauty with a Purpose include the funding for Cleft Palate Teams in South America, Sri Lanka and Russia, three fundraising tours to support abandoned and neglected children in Vietnam, long term support for both Operation Hunger and the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Africa, and teaming up with Jackie Chan and the Chinese Red Cross in bringing financial aid to those most seriously affected by the Asian tsunami.
Visit: http://www.beautywithapurpose.com/index.php/en/history to find out more. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, I hope to see you there.

Thanks,

Rosie

With special thanks to Ian and Rick for making this charity event possible.

This Friday night we will be heading down to Vernon park to do some strobist photography.  Meet at the studio at 7pm and we will walk down to the park (just 2 minutes down the road).

This is planed to be a relaxed shoot, concentrating on lighting and how the model’s interaction with the park environment.

Our model for this event will be Alexandra Whiteley (See: http://purpleport.com/portfolio/alexandrawhiteley13/?referrer=ianbutty).

As the light fades we will probably return to the studio for our final set.  If the weather is more wintertime than springtime we will do the bulk of our shooting in the studio.

Price: £25

Tonight’s Friday Night at the Studio event will be all about shooting silhouettes.  We will look at a couple of different techniques for creating interesting silhouettes.

The model for this event will be Gabriella Lissoni.  you can find her profile on Purpleport: http://purpleport.com/portfolio/madalinapetrusel/?referrer=ianbutty

To give maximum flexibility our model will be working to art nude levels for this shoot.

Price £29

Maximum number of places will seven.

Weekly on TUESDAY Evenings 7.30pm to 10pm (approximately) from Tuesday 21st April 2015.  

The course will consist of eight sessions (session 5 on glamour, boudoir, & art nude is optional).  Each session will be two and half hours in length.

Please note this is classroom based training with practical homework assignments to back-up what we have covered in each session.  Discounts will be available to course attendees to attend other events at the studio.

Each session will look at one or two related genres of photography.  We will cover techniques and equipment, and I will be providing practical advice and where appropriate I’ll share experiences from a professional perspective.

• 21 April – Session 1 :  Travel and Architecture
• 28 April – Session 2 : Available light portraiture and Weddings
• 05 May – Session 3 : Off Camera flash and strobist techniques
• 12 May – Session 4 : Studio portraiture
• 19 May – Session 5 : Glamour, boudoir and art nude photography
• 26 May – Session 6 : Events, theatre and performance photography
• 02 June – Session 7 : Macro, product and commercial photography
• 09 June – Session 8 : Sports and wildlife photography

Each session will leave you with some homework to reinforce the skills and techniques we have talked about.

Price:
8 Sessions: £165.
or 7 Sessions (omitting session 5) : £155

The course is aimed at photographers who have a reasonable level of photographic knowledge.  I have designed the course to be particularly suitable for those who have already completed my “Introduction to DSLR Photography” course.  If you have not completed that course, you should have an understanding of photographic techniques such as exposure, aperture, controlling depth of field, etc.  Experience of using flash guns is useful but not essential.  As with any course the time spent on any given subject will be tailored to reflect the current knowledge and experience of those attending.

Printed course materials will be provided to all attendees.  Throughout the course there will be opportunities should you wish to have your photographs assessed to help you improve.

Places on the course will be limited.  

Please note: The course is designed for users of DSLR cameras.  If you have a “compact” camera or a “bridge” camera please contact me to discuss its suitability for this course.

As Ian will not be available for part of the evening this event will be co-led by Rick Bradbury.  For tonight’s event we will be lighting from behind with back lighting techniques. Many people will see the main light for a photograph in front of the subject, let’s change that up and stick the light behind them.

With back lighting you can make things light and airy or really dramatic with the use of one simple light source.

Grab your camera and let’s get to work.

The model for this event will be Rosie Eliot. You can see more of her work on Purple Port. http://purpleport.com/portfolio/rosieeliotmodel/

Cost £27

This course will give all the basics to go out and start creating great images. The course is 7 sessions long and will be running weekly on Wednesday Evenings 7.30pm – 10.00pm. starting Wednesday 15th April.

[callout title=What others say]This is what previous attendees have said about the course:

“We’re delighted that we chose to attend the introduction to digital photography course. We’re now far more confident with the DLSR camera, and understand what we are doing. Ian’s course is wonderfully clear and structured, supported by ample notes and exercises, and delivered in a thoroughly professional, yet touchingly patient and warm way. The ‘critique’ section at the start of each workshop was especially helpful for learning and the manual provided is absolutely excellent. It’s a pleasure to learn from such a skilled and knowledgeable practitioner as Ian.” Sophie Brown & Adrian West, March 2011 “Super course :-)” -AB

“It was FAB – thank you very much!!” – HH

“Ian is really really good and combines a ‘simple’ powerpoint presentation with comprehensive notes and so forth for your retention and even sets practical and creative tasks and runs critiques etc.  This has benefited me already ! I wish I’d been on something like that when I was at college (!)” – DG[/callout]

The course content will include the following:

• Composition, seeing and finding great photos.
• Camera settings – understand what your camera can do
• Getting the camera off auto:  understanding F-Stops, shutter speeds, focal lengths and ISO
• White balance – what is it and when to change it
• Flash photography.  Creative ways to use your flash gun to enhance your photos
• Controlling the light – reflectors, difusers and filters.
• RAW and JPG – what’s the difference?  Why shoot RAW?  How to process it
• Downloading, processing and editing.
• Photography in difficult conditions:  at night, in the heat of the day, in the rain.
• Photo critiques – learning how to assess your photos and teaching yourself to improve.

The course is aimed at beginners and those who wish to consolidate their photographic knowledge.  As with any course the time spent on any given subject will be tailored to reflect the current knowledge and experience of those attending. Printed course materials (over 100 pages of notes) will be provided to all attendees.  Throughout the course there will be opportunities should you wish to have your photographs assessed to help you improve.

The total cost of the course is £149.   A minimum deposit of £40 is required to reserve you place on the course.

Please note: The course is designed for users of DSLR cameras.  If you have a “compact” camera or a “bridge” camera please contact me to discuss its suitability for this course.

At this workshop will look at a number of classic art nude set-ups.  Including single light set-ups to multi light set-up.  Each lighting set will be documented in the printed notes that accompany the workshop.

The day will be suitable for those who are a little unsure about where to start with art nude photography; but time will be built into the day to enable more experienced photographers to build on these set-ups.

We will look at some basic techniques to bring out the best in the subject you are photographing, including how to put your subject at their ease.  These techniques are particularly use for anyone wishing to expand their boudoir photography business to include offering art nude shoots to their clients.

I am pleased to announce that the model for this event will be Vivi Blue – http://purpleport.com/portfolio/sellers/?referrer=ianbutty – Viv is a very experience art nude model and she describes art nude as her favourite genre.

There will be opportunities to create high-key (white background) images, low-key (black background) images and bodyscape images.  A large selection of props will be available to enhance the images and to help inspire you with ideas.

Cost £82 per person (this includes lunch and printed notes).

At this Friday Night Friday at the Studio event, we will be shooting glamour – bright colourful glamour.   It is time for swimwear, lingerie, topless and nude.

We will be working with an experienced glamour model who will help photographers shoot the best poses and get the best images.

Unfortunately our originally booked model has had to withdraw due to work commitments.  Details of our replacement model will be announced shortly.

The style of glamour we will be shooting this week will be more “lads mag” style than “hollywood glamour”.  You can see images from a recent test shoot in that style here:  http://photos.imb.biz/model/shoot/anastasia-glamour1

As you might expect the above link contains nudity and should be considered as not safe for work. (NSFW

Price: £29

This event will be led by Rick Bradbury.  We will be working with a male model.  The looks will range from suited and booted through to more casual ware.

During this event we will also look at type/styles of light that can be used with male models as well as poses.

You will have plenty of time to shoot and Rick Bradbury be on hand to answer any questions and set lighting.

A lot of events tend to use female models so let’s change that up and add to your portrait experience.

Charge your batteries and clean that lens… let’s shoot.

The model for the event will be MattS – http://purpleport.com/portfolio/matts/

Price: £27

The main feature of tonight’s Friday Night at the Studio event will be creating art nude images involving the use of clear slime.  We will add an unusual twist to our art nude images by adding a texture to the model by the use of the clear slime, combining this with dramatic lighting, and the posing of the model will create some memorable images.

Although working with the slime will be the main feature of the event, it is not practical to shoot images in this way for the whole three hours of the event.  For the first part of the event we will different art nude images using material to enhance the lighting and the model’s pose.

I am pleased to announce that our model for this event will be Callie Louise – you can see her profile here:  http://purpleport.com/portfolio/callielouise/?referrer=ianbutty

The evening will be divided in to three parts.

The first part will be classic low-key art nude work, there will a lot of emphasis on the lighting in this section.  We will be working out which poses and lighting set-ups will work when we add the slime.

The second part and main part of the evening is when we will use the slime. It is a clear slime, the same stuff they use on kids TV shows for gunge. The only difference is that we won’t add any colouring to it. Our model will be completely covered in the stuff by the end of the evening.

The third and final part will be the clean-up, I have the ability to set up a shower in the studio (large paddling pool with shower over the top). This will enable Callie to wash the slime off but at the same time we can shoot shower/wet-look glamour images.

Price: £29

The maximum number of spaces for this event will be seven.

Anther in our horror movie themed shoots.  This time we will be concentrating on the emotions connected with such movies.  From the fear of the victims to the mad delight of perpetrators.  We will be photographing screams, tears and maniacal laughter.  Add to all of this the odd splattering of (fake) blood and you will have a photography night to remember.  

Our model for this event will be Karen R (See: http://purpleport.com/portfolio/karenr/?referrer=ianbutty ) but there is also the chance that the studio’s very own mad axe man may make a re-appearance too… you have been warned.

Price: £29

Learn Adobe Photoshop Lightroom in one day. This intensive and extensive training day will equip you to get the best out Lightroom and will help you streamline your photography workflow.

Attendees may wish to be bring a laptop with with Lightroom installed, to follow the through the training on their own screens.

All participants will get printed notes.

Cost: £65.00  (Price includes lunch)

Topics covered include:

The Lightroom Philosophy

Learn to work the Lightroom way.

Configuring Lightroom

Set-up options you MUST change
Where to store your files
Setting up metadata defaults

Library Module

DAM – Digital Asset Management – what is it? Why do I need it?
Finding images
The filter bar
Importing
– Getting images into Lightroom
– Naming conventions
– DNG – what is it? Why convert to DNG?
Setting metadata
– Using the panels
– Using the painter
– Using presets
– Synchronising metadata
– Saving metadata!
Using keywords and keyword hierarchies
Reviewing your images
– Flags and ratings
Collections and smart collections

Develop Module

Understanding the adjustment panels (we go through each panel in turn an look at what it can do.)
Using adjustment brushes, graduated filters and other editing tools
Using presets
Snapshots, history and virtual copies

Output Modules

Printing
Slide show
Web

Exporting Images

Export & Publish – what’s the difference.

Workflow hints and tips

Using keyword to mange workflow

Something a bit different for this “Friday Night at the Studio” event.  I keep getting people asking me what is involved in getting an LRPS or and ARPS from the Royal Photographic Society.  At this event I will explain the process.  I will show you my LRPS and ARPS panels and provide you with some feedback/critique on any panels you are planing to submit to the society.

This event is a rerun of the RPS distinctions night that I ran a year ago.  Those who attended last time found the event very helpful in preparing their submissions.

Please Note: Although I am a member of the RPS and I have an ARPS distinction.  I hold no position with the RPS and this session is not authorised by the RPS.  The views expressed are my own and are based on lessons I learned while preparing my own images for submission.

Price: £15

This event will be led by Richard Bradbury.

For tonight’s Friday night event here at Ian’s Studio Rick will be taking you though 3 point and 3 light set-ups ranging from dramatic portraits to a flexible beauty lighting set-up with just speedlites.

We will also look at lighting a set with a subject (model) and an item/element we want to draw attention to.

The model for this event is Zoe Harlotta.  http://purpleport.com/portfolio/zoeharlotta/?referrer=ianbutty (Safe for work).

The maximum number of spaces at this event will be 7.

Price: £27

A boudoir is a French word referring to a woman’s private dressing room or bathing room.  It would usually be adjacent to her bedroom.  The room may also be used a drawing room or room in which the woman could meet with her romantic partner.

Some of these concepts have carried forward in to boudoir as a style of photography.  Common themes in boudoir photography in bedrooms, dressing rooms, dressing tables and places where the where the female subject can be found relaxing or preparing herself of a romantic encounter.

In this workshop we will look at a number of different techniques for creating Boudoir style images.  The workshop will look at different lighting techniques and the use of different props and a few cheats for creating a boudoir set

The model for this event will be Louise http://purpleport.com/portfolio/silkythighslou/?referrer=ianbutty  – Lou will be working to topless/implied nude for this workshop.

Printed notes and lunch will be provided.

Price: £69

In this Friday Night at the Studio event we look at how to use the nude female form and a few props to create abstract images that are reminiscent of landscapes..

In addition to landscape-esque images we will also look at ways of photographing portions of our models body to create other abstract images.

Price: £29

When this event was re-run in November 2014 the event was oversubscribed.  I am therefore rerunning the event on January 13th 2015, for those who were unable to come to the previous run of the event.

Learn how to cut mats and mounts for your photographs.  I have a Longridge mount cutter at the studio, which can give accurate cuts for mounting your images.  The mount cutter is free to use for anyone who attends events at the studio, or who hires the studio.

If you have never cut your own mounts before you probably will not know just how easy it is when you use a professional mount cutter.

For tonight’s event I will show you the techniques involved, once you have been shown you are welcome to use the cutter at the studio whenever you need to cut future mounts.

Bring a couple of prints you want to mount/mat to this event.  It is best if your images are no larger than 12x16in

Price: £10
Materials included in the price will be sufficient to mount either two prints unbacked or one print with backing.   Based on 50x40cm frames.  For smaller frames you may get more mounts from the material supplied.

This course will give all the basics to go out and start creating great images. The course is 7 sessions long and will be running weekly on Sunday Evenings 7pm – 9.30pm. starting Sunday 11th January.

[callout title=What others say]This is what previous attendees have said about the course:

“We’re delighted that we chose to attend the introduction to digital photography course. We’re now far more confident with the DLSR camera, and understand what we are doing. Ian’s course is wonderfully clear and structured, supported by ample notes and exercises, and delivered in a thoroughly professional, yet touchingly patient and warm way. The ‘critique’ section at the start of each workshop was especially helpful for learning and the manual provided is absolutely excellent. It’s a pleasure to learn from such a skilled and knowledgeable practitioner as Ian.” Sophie Brown & Adrian West, March 2011 “Super course :-)” -AB

“It was FAB – thank you very much!!” – HH

“Ian is really really good and combines a ‘simple’ powerpoint presentation with comprehensive notes and so forth for your retention and even sets practical and creative tasks and runs critiques etc.  This has benefited me already ! I wish I’d been on something like that when I was at college (!)” – DG[/callout]

The course content will include the following:

• Composition, seeing and finding great photos.
• Camera settings – understand what your camera can do
• Getting the camera off auto:  understanding F-Stops, shutter speeds, focal lengths and ISO
• White balance – what is it and when to change it
• Flash photography.  Creative ways to use your flash gun to enhance your photos
• Controlling the light – reflectors, difusers and filters.
• RAW and JPG – what’s the difference?  Why shoot RAW?  How to process it
• Downloading, processing and editing.
• Photography in difficult conditions:  at night, in the heat of the day, in the rain.
• Photo critiques – learning how to assess your photos and teaching yourself to improve.

The course is aimed at beginners and those who wish to consolidate their photographic knowledge.  As with any course the time spent on any given subject will be tailored to reflect the current knowledge and experience of those attending. Printed course materials (over 100 pages of notes) will be provided to all attendees.  Throughout the course there will be opportunities should you wish to have your photographs assessed to help you improve.

The total cost of the course is £149.   A minimum deposit of £40 is required to reserve you place on the course.

Please note: The course is designed for users of DSLR cameras.  If you have a “compact” camera or a “bridge” camera please contact me to discuss its suitability for this course.

Take a trip to a Victorian / Edwardian past that never existed.  Enter the world of H G Wells and Jules Verne.  Enter the world of Steam Punk!

Steam Punk is a blend of Victorian and Edwardian fashion with elements of science fiction.  Guns are steam powered, gadgets are clock work and heroes mix top hats with welding goggles, and heroines mix corsets with overcoats!

I will be hiring / borrowing / pulling out of a worm-hole suitable props for this event, so this is a fantastic opportunity to create images in this style.  We will work with evocative lighting and also light some images such that they are suitable for use in composites.

The model for this event will be Rachael F.  Rachael has a good range of gothic looks which when combined with the steam punk props we are borrowing for the event will ensure we are able to create some great images.

You can see Rachael’s profile on Purpleport here: http://purpleport.com/portfolio/rachaelf/?referrer=ianbutty and you can see some example of her modelling at the studio here: http://photos.imb.biz/model/rachael

Price: £27

The maximum number of spaces for this event will be 7.

Start 2015 by learning a new photography technique – Focus Stacking

One of the limitations with macro photography is the very shallow depth of field.  At this Friday night event we will explore the use of focus stacking when doing macro photography work.

If you have your own macro lenses, or extension tubes please bring them along.  If you are a canon shooter I will have some that you can borrow.

Other kit to bring: tripod and focusing rails if you have them.  (Don’t panic if you don’t as I have both at the studio that you can use).  If you wish to follow through the focus stacking techniques on your own laptop you are welcome to bring that along too.

Once we have taken a set of images, I will guide you through techniques for combining the images together to get that all important wide depth of field.

Price £17